Madliena family doctor Dita Graudone awarded best young rural physician in Latvia

Dita Graudone, a family doctor in Madliena, has recently received the “Veselības centra 4” award for the best young rural family doctor in Latvia. The award is part of the campaign “We Are Looking for a Good Family Doctor,” organized by “Dienas Žurnāli” in cooperation with the Latvian Association of Rural Family Doctors for the 14th year. This year, Graudone was chosen from four regional nominees.

Graudone took over the practice from her mother, Gaida Bērziņa, and has been working there for five years. She admits that her mother’s example and support have been crucial in her professional journey. Although as a child she dreamed of becoming an astronaut or even the President of Latvia, after a teenage rebellious phase she decided to study medicine and now works as a family doctor.

Her practice serves approximately 3,000 patients, primarily from Madliena, Taurupe, Meņģele, and Ķeipene, but also from farther areas like Riga and Aizkraukle. She emphasizes that rural family medicine is especially broad: she performs suturing, dressing changes, post-operative care, and various procedures. Her practice is equipped with a modern procedure room to conduct tests and analyses on-site.

Graudone highlights the stereotypes surrounding family medicine—many believe it is not a real specialty, but in reality, a family doctor must know multiple fields and solve diverse problems. She also stresses the importance of preventive care, noting that many patients take medication irregularly or stop treatment on their own. Her future plans include further developing the practice by acquiring new medical technologies, such as a portable ultrasound, so patients do not have to travel to the city for examinations.